Davao’s Chinatown gets all dressed up

By Carmencita A. Carillo

DAVAO CITY — Four archways in different spots mark Chinatown here, which, at 44 hectares in what is mainly the central district, is considered one of the biggest in the world.

Each of the arches represent a virtue: friendship, unity, peace, prosperity.

The Davao Chinatown — officially established in 2003 through an executive order issued by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte — encompasses an area where there is a high concentration of members of the Chinese-Filipino community that has long been living and doing business in the city.

The Davao City Chinatown Development Council (DCCDC) was formed at the same time, to help the local government in the implementation of policies to conserve the area’s cultural heritage.

This year, Chinatown is being spruced up through private sector and government initiatives to promote it as one of the city’s tourist attractions.

“There are few areas in the Philippines with an established Chinatown,” said Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre, chairman of the city council’s committee on tourism.

“Not even Cebu has a Chinatown,” he added, “so it is important that Davao develop its Chinatown not only to preserve history but also to attract more tourists.”

All the street name posts in the area will be replaced in the coming months to include the corresponding Chinese translation of the name. Each post will have up to five sponsors and the names of the benefactors will be on display.

The city council has also proposed issuing an order requiring all businesses in the Chinatown area to enhance their store signage.

“By reviving and improving Chinatown and creating an environment similar to a real Chinatown, we will be encouraging tourists and even locals to frequent the area,” Mr. Alejandre said.

Meanwhile, the DCCDC is set to sign an agreement with Banco de Oro Unibank, Inc. for a P3.5-million, five-year sponsorship to install lamp posts with a red dragon-design.

CHINESE SCHOOL
In a related development, this year’s Chinese New year celebration was made more memorable for the Chinese-Filipino community as the Davao Chinese School was finally granted its request to use its original name: Davao Chong Hua High School.

The school was founded in 1924 and its name was changed in 1973 after Presidential Decree No. 176 mandated the Filipinization of all foreign schools.

“After several years, we are able to bring back the name of our school,” said Tita Ko, executive vice-chairperson of the school’s Board of Trustees.